A concert titled ‘Hitchin’ a Ride’ raised funds for the Yellowknife Women’s Society (YWS) on Friday and Saturday evening at Top Knight.
The event gathered performers from Yellowknife, ranging from solo artists to bands with up to six members. Each act performed three to four songs themed around driving or transportation. This was because the fundraiser was specifically designed for YWS Street Outreach, a program that helps people in need of a ride in downtown Yellowknife and nearby surroundings. The program needs a replacement van.
“It’s a program that’s really helpful for people, especially during the cold winter months,” said concert organizer Nancy MacNeill. “Operating a program like this is quite expensive, so we thought it was important for us to come together, gather musicians, and help [those in need] out.”
For MacNeill, the YWS Street Outreach can be “life-saving.” She mentioned that when people face -45 C during the winter, they don’t necessarily need to deal with the RCMP or go to the hospital, but just require a place to stay and warm up.
“Like all non-profits, YWS operates mostly on government funding, which comes with a lot of parameters and reporting attached to it,” she said. “It is necessary to have some unrestricted cash funds ready for [programs]. You know what you need to do, here is some money, and you don’t need to write up a report or do anything else. Just go do what you need to do.”
Thirty-six musicians performed during the weekend event. The fundraiser had a $4,000 target. MacNeill said she was really confident that the goal would be exceeded.
This was the sixth tribute concert that she has organized, and most of the money raised goes to charitable organizations or to people in need. A portion of the funds also goes to the musicians for their contributions.
MacNeill said the tribute concerts not only help charitable organizations but also promote artists from the area.
“A number of performers coming tonight don’t have a lot of performing background. Getting to do three songs is manageable,” she said.
Lana Sanders, the vocalist for a local family band known as Lana and the Father Figures, was born and raised in Yellowknife. After finishing high school, she started her new journey in Edmonton.
She said that once she heard about the concert, she decided to travel north to perform and help out back home.
“I haven’t had as many opportunities to get involved as I would like to, but if I can, I try to,” said Sanders.
The songs she gave voice to on stage Saturday were Turbulence by Pink, Stick Season by Noah Kahan, and a song by Kelsy Karter.
Gianna Debogorski performed three songs including Fast Car by Tracy Chapman, Take Me Home, Country Road by John Denver, and Summer Sunlight, which she wrote herself. She felt honoured that she could attend a fundraising concert like this and is looking forward to similar events, she said.
Kim Robinson, the manager of the YWS Street Outreach program, said she was moved by the tribute concert and also the GoFundMe pages that had been set up earlier.
Even though she didn’t have a chance to be there herself because she was working throughout the weekend, Robinson expressed her gratitude to MacNeill and all the people who put in the effort to support the program.
